Interview by Alessandro Ariatti (Rock Hard Italy)10/6/2004
1) At first tell me about this new album "In An Outrage": what do you think about it, if compared to the last releases?
David T. Chastain: I think the new Cd fits in well with the earlier Chastain Cds. A little more traditional metal than the last couple of Chastain Cds. The addition of ex-Vicious Rumors bassist Dave Starr and Drummer Larry Howe definitely helped the band sound more traditional metal. Is this the best Chastain Cd ever? Well...that is hard to say for me. That is for others to judge. I do think it is the best sounding Cd sonically. The sound is very powerful and well produced for a Chastain Cd.
2) You're working with Kate French from many years: how do you find working with her?
David T. Chastain: Kate is very good songwriter as well as a great vocalist. While she may not be the fastest worker in the world when she completes a song it is usually excellent. She is also a very good live vocalist. We get along great and as hard as it is to believe I have worked with her longer than our first vocalist Leather.
3) Are there any songs on the new album that you feel most proud of and that you like most?
David T. Chastain: I usually tend to like the slower songs such as "Tortured Love," "Souls the Sun" and "Hamunaptra" foremost. However I do like the faster songs as well. We did shoot a video for the track "Bullet From A Gun" so I guess that one has to be one of our favorites.
4) Which are your main inspirations when you're writing a song, a riff or a lyric?
David T. Chastain: On the Chastain Cd I wrote all of the music first and turned the lyrics and melodies over to Kate. With that said, even when I do write the lyrics and melodies the riff always comes first. Sometimes I may match up some old lyrics to a new song but once again I feel the music came first and I just found something from the old days that would work. I don't think but maybe a handful of times I have came up with a title first and wrote a riff around it. Music just comes very naturally for me and lyrics take a little more effort.
5) Are you still in contact with Leather?
David T. Chastain: I haven't seen Leather since 1990. We use to keep in touch a little but I haven't really communicated with her in awhile. She has just dropped out of the music world from what I can tell. It is a shame. She should have played with someone during the last 10 years or so but I guess she is just so sick of the business it must not be worth it to her.
6) In the 80's you had two bands, Chastain and CJJS: which are, in your opinion, your best albums of the 80's?
David T. Chastain: I always preferred the Chastain Cds over the CJSS. While taking nothing away from the CJSS Cds they were just a little too American sounding for my taste. I think the first 3 Chastain Cds were all classics. Actually my best selling Cd was my 1987 solo release "Instrumental Variations."
7) Which are your favourite listenings now?
David T. Chastain: I usually only have time to listen to things I either play on or produce. However from what I can tell from bits and pieces there are a lot of great metal bands out there. I can listen to about anything that doesn't have rap or death metal vocal influences. With that said, if I have spare time I usually listen to classical music to relax.
8) Are you touring in the next months to promote "In An Outrage"?
David T. Chastain: We have been in discussion with a few European promoters but nothing is firm. Definitely not till 2005. As I previously mentioned, we have just shot a video so hopefully it will get placed on some of the bigger video outlets and help reintroduce the band to the fans. We would certainly love to tour Europe under the right circumstances! We also may do a few dates in other countries outside the US. Those are always fun.
Thanks and all the best from Alessandro Ariatti (Rock Hard Italy)
David T. Chastain: My pleasure!!
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